ABSTRACT
Each year, millions of older adults fall. The basic facts about falls in older adults are frightening: one out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury; falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury; and so on. Falls are classified into three groups: near falls, falls, and falls with injury. Most falls are preventable. There are four critical steps to prevention: physical activity, home safety, medication management, and vision care. There are two main types of fall risk factors: Intrinsic Fall Risk Factors and Extrinsic Fall Risk Factors. Physical activity includes exercise, physical work, play, gardening, and/or simply being outdoors. What matters most is remaining physically active in ways that are safe as human bodies and needs change. Older adults who take more than four prescription medications daily are considered to be at higher fall risk. In particular, drugs that impact mood, sleep, or brain function markedly increase fall risk.
